Stupidity comes in waves in this league. While last week was one of the stupidest of the NFL season thus far, there were only 13 games this weekend and the dumb moments were kept to a minimum. Still, we’ve got some goodies for you…
The stupidest unnecessary roughness penalty
There’s at least one every week related to a “hit” on a quarterback. This time, Robert Griffin III was a runner on a read-option play. He was still defenseless, since he was sliding, which means a blow to the head would merit a penalty. The problem? Vikings safety Harrison Smith completely missed said head…
From ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert:
He did not appear to contact his head or neck. [Gene] Steratore made a mistake of anticipation, one that isn’t entirely surprising when you note that his crew entered Week 9 having called 17 unnecessary roughness or personal foul penalties, by far the highest among the NFL’s 17 crews, according to ESPN Stats & Information’s penalty database. (The average was 6.7 per crew.)
That’s ridiculously stupid.
The stupidest play-calling sequence
This one’s obvious because it’s been the talk of the league. Down three with 42 seconds to play and a timeout in their back pocket, the 49ers have a 1st-and-goal on the St. Louis 2-yard line. The proceed to run passing play that gets them one of the two required yards, another passing play that results in an incompletion, and then a quarterback sneak that results in a fumble from Colin Kaepernick.
Three plays with the game on the line in a short-yardage situation, and nothing that involves powerful veteran running back Frank Gore. Unacceptable stuff from offensive coordinator Greg Roman.
Later, Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis told Peter King of The MMQB that he was “stunned” the 49ers didn’t use Gore at least once, adding that “he’s one of the best backs in football at falling forward.”
Stunning, yes. Some might even call it stupid.
The stupidest special-teams moment
Two things. First, what the hell is Tavon Austin thinking?
And two, how is that not a safety?
The stupidest play call, non-San Francisco edition
You’ve got a chance to make this a game, Jets. Down 24-10 on the final play of the third quarter, it’s 1st-and-goal at the Kansas City 3-yard line. But you get too fancy and run a direct snap to Bilal Powell, naturally resulting in nothing.
A good take from Bleacher Report’s Mike Tanier:
Powell has taken direct snaps three times in goal-to-go situations, rushing twice and executing some Michael Vick-option madness a third time. All three plays, including Sunday’s, netted zero yards. Powell has scored two touchdowns in two seasons, making his “goal-line specialist” role one of the top-10 strangest delusions on the Jets’ neurotic countdown.
That would put them in a hole, which is never good when we’re talking about the Jets. Michael Vick fumbled on second down, they got a few yards back on third and then completely botched the fourth-down attempt.
Never has this been more appropriate: KEEP IT SIMPLE, STUPID!
The stupidest non-personal foul penalty
With the Buccaneers driving and the game on the line in Cleveland, Mike Evans was inexplicably called for offensive pass interference on this fourth-down play…
Instead of a first down, Tampa Bay was forced to deal with a 4th-and-11. One incomplete pass later, the game was practically over. Can’t decide games on call like those.
The stupidest personnel-related decision
How in God’s name could the Cowboys feel Brandon Weeden would be a reliable backup for the 34-year-old, brittle Tony Romo?
